- George Chung
- Oct 20, 2024
- 3 min read
The PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants on October 19, 2024, at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, lived up to its blockbuster billing, delivering fans some thrilling, hard-hitting action. Broadcast live on ESPN+ and Pay-Per-View, this high-stakes event culminated in an unforgettable main event, with Francis Ngannou reminding the world why he remains one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport.
Here’s a full breakdown of every fight from the night / Full Results of Battle of the Giants:
Main Event: Francis Ngannou vs. Bruno Capelozza Ferreira – PFL Heavyweight Super Fights Championship
The headlining clash between Francis Ngannou and Bruno Capelozza Ferreira was one for the ages. Ngannou, making his PFL debut, showcased his trademark knockout power as he dismantled Ferreira with brutal ground-and-pound strikes, earning a TKO victory at 3:32 in Round 1. The fight was fast-paced from the get-go, with Ferreira looking for opportunities to surprise the UFC veteran, but Ngannou’s sheer power proved too much, making a resounding statement in the heavyweight division.
Co-Main Event: Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco – PFL Featherweight Super Fights Championship
In the co-main event, Cris Cyborg defended her PFL Featherweight Super Fights title against a determined Larissa Pacheco. The bout went the full five rounds, with Cyborg's striking and grappling experience edging out the aggressive Pacheco. The judges scored it a unanimous decision in favor of Cyborg, showcasing her tactical mastery and continuing her reign as one of the greatest featherweights of all time.
Bellator Middleweight Championship: Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards
Defending Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen faced Fabian Edwards in a technical battle. Eblen’s superior wrestling and cage control led to a unanimous decision victory, with all three judges favoring the champ after five hard-fought rounds. Edwards showed great heart, but Eblen’s grappling edge sealed the deal.
Mohsen vs. Kadimagomaev – Lightweight Bout
In another exciting clash, Mohammad Mohsen squared off against Kadimagomaev in a lightweight bout. Mohsen displayed superior striking and cage control to earn a unanimous decision victory. While Kadimagomaev showed moments of brilliance, Mohsen’s consistent pressure was the difference-maker in the judges' eyes.
Hughes vs. McKee Jr. – Welterweight Bout
This tightly contested welterweight bout between Ryan Hughes and AJ McKee Jr. went down to the wire, with both fighters trading strikes and takedowns. In the end, the judges awarded Hughes a split decision victory, with his ability to control the grappling exchanges giving him a razor-thin edge.
Preliminary Card:
The undercard delivered some equally thrilling action, with rising stars putting on a show for the Saudi Arabian crowd.
Raufeon Stots defeated Breno via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:01 of Round 3, displaying his elite grappling to force a tap in the final round.
Zaynukov took home a unanimous decision victory against Sanders after a dominant striking and clinch game over three rounds.
Ibragimov earned a unanimous decision win against Campos, relying on a well-rounded performance in all areas of the fight.
Bendaoud impressed with a second-round submission victory over Ismail, locking in a triangle choke at 3:51 of Round 2 to finish the fight in style.
The PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants in Riyadh delivered action from start to finish, with Ngannou’s devastating KO being the highlight of the night. The historic card also saw Cyborg's dominance, Eblen’s successful title defense, and a mix of rising stars and seasoned veterans showcasing their skills. PFL continues to cement its place as a global force in MMA, and the Battle of the Giants is a testament to the league’s ability to host high-caliber events.
